58-166 MPG Hypermiler Rat Rod Is a 1991 Geo Metro

We've managed to find some detailed pictures on Reddit and are now trying our best to answer the questions about its existence. From the front, the car looks like the genetically altered brother of the Nissan 300ZX. It's got four headlights and a pointy nose that reminds us of the 90s coupes. At the back, you might think it's a Honda Accord, were it not for the short wheelbase and weird trunk decking. It also has a kammback boot, covered wheels and a hood that covers some of the windshield for streamlining reasons.

But using the magical powers of the internet, we've been able to find an earlier video of the car before some of the current changes were made. Turns out that this is actually a 1991 Geo Metro, which often served as a punchline for jokes about awful small cars.

The 1991 MSRP for the Metro was $6,750 (EUR5,500). This car came around right before gas prices started to jump in the 90s and the Prius became the cult car that it is today. OK, it does look like crap, but even without all these mods, it gets over 40 mpg without trying.

The background

Again using the awesome power of the internet, we've been able to guesstimate that this weird car should belong to Gene Schudlich, a passionate car builder who in 2006 made headlines with a 1980 VW truck that he converted into a biodiesel rat rod that he claimed did over 70 mpg.

As you can see from the date of the Youtube video, the Geo Metro has been around for at least a couple of years. In 2014, Gene entered it into a hypermiling marathon called the TAC National 50 Mile Road Championship, where he got the 166 mpg that's written on the car.